Dolores is a medical examiner that has not seen her family in years until her father disappears. Dolores goes back to her hometown and reconnects with her siblings while working with the FBI to try to find her dad. When other bodies start showing up Dolores and the police must work together to try to figure out who is targeting those close to her before more people die.

This book was an easy, enjoyable read, that while somewhat predictable, was still a book I am glad I read. The book had a creepy feel to it and was fast paced. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

No Rest for the Wicked is a gripping debut that pulls you in with its eerie atmosphere and relentless pace, delivering a story that feels tailor-made for fans of spine-chilling thrillers. Rachel Louise Adams masterfully blends small-town secrets, family tensions, and a love of Halloween into a dark, twisty tale that’s hard to put down. Dolores Hawthorne is a compelling protagonist, sharp, flawed, and haunted in all the right ways, and her return to Little Horton sets the stage for a story packed with suspense and dread. While some plot turns feel a little familiar to the genre, Adams’s strong prose and knack for tension make this a standout first novel that will leave readers eager for what she writes next.

This book suffers from an identity crisis - it vacillates between mystery, thriller and horror, but doesn't stay in one genre long enough to really make it interesting. And there's a completely irrelevant side plot including feral cats that does absolutely nothing for the plot.

The story had definite promise, but it flip-flopped so much it was hard to really care about the characters. And the eventual resolution was not only projected from pretty much the beginning, it wasn't even satisfying.

It's a 2.6 rounded to 3.0 for me.

No Rest for the Wicked is a dark, twisty debut that had me hooked from the start. I loved the inclusion of the investigator’s POV—it made me feel like I was right there working the case—and Dolores Hawthorne quickly became a standout character. She’s whip-smart, a straight shooter who reminded me a little of Dr. Temperance Brennan from Bones, but with none of the social awkwardness, and I was dying to know more about her mysterious past. The small-town setting is pitch-perfect, full of gossip, grudges, and a police force riddled with misogyny, while the feud between the Hawthornes and the Lawsons added layers of tension. The Halloween atmosphere and escalating body count gave the story an eerie, suspenseful vibe, and although I guessed a couple of twists early, the final reveal was epic and completely floored meThis was a fast-paced, well-plotted thriller with strong characters, immersive atmosphere, and an unforgettable ending—I’ll definitely be picking up whatever Rachel Louise Adams writes next.

I think the cover is misleading regarding genre and tone. This is a slow-burn, dark, complex mystery/suspense novel. There’s nothing supernatural, and the cats are, well, not a major or a particularly well-loved component. There’s no on-page abuse, but be prepared for some unhappy revelations there.

I really enjoyed the story. The characters are fantastic! I hope this becomes the first book in a future series.

*Thanks to Minotaur Books for the free eARC, provided via NetGalley!*

Dolores must return to her hometown known for its famous Halloween celebrations. But she isn’t returning home to celebrate, her father has gone missing under suspicious circumstances.

This debut novel is perfect for upcoming Halloween! And don’t let the cute kitties on the cover fool you, Little Horton is overrun by the colony of stray cats! 🐈‍⬛

This twisty mystery brings out town secrets and skeletons from your closets. Now get ready to count the bones of your head as you dive deeper into the shadows of this Halloween town!

Thank you to author, Rachel Louise Adams, NetGalley and publisher Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this epub. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Delores Diaz left Little Horton years ago and has never looked back. Long estranged from her family she’s been summoned back to Wisconsin at the request of the FBI. Her once beloved father has been kidnapped and her skill as a forensic pathologist is soon utilized. A story that asks the question of why someone so well loved would suddenly leave everyone behind for a very long time. Are people who we really think they are? This is an engrossing crime thriller set in a charming little town that goes all out for Halloween. 4.5 stars

This was a fine book, but it didn't offer up anything super memorable. (Seriously...I read it about a month ago and can remember little other than the fact that cats play hardly a role in the plot, so it's weird they're on the cover.)

However, the mystery in the story is solid. Dolores' father is missing (maybe murdered) and she comes home (at Halloween!) to find him/figure out what happened, in the process dealing with a LOAD of old family baggage that she ran away from when she was younger.

(However, I'm not buying that the town would let a Dolores, a family member, perform autopsies on murder suspects connected to the family, but whatever... I was willing to suspend belief to make the story work)

The writing in this book is solid too, particularly this insight, "Men came in a hundred different shapes, but they only had two different smiles. Dog smiles and fox smiles." These smiles play a big role in the story. So it's a good thing this concept rings true and fits well into the plot.

Overall the story moves along at a nice clip, but there are so few characters introduced, that it's not much of a whodunnit. However, all the basic parts are there and it makes sense as a story. Just didn't entirely wow me.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

“In the days to come, you may learn things that will change me in your eyes forever. I ask only that you hold on to the image of the father you remember.”

Dolors Diaz is a medical examiner in LA who has been estranged from her family for 18 years, ever since one horrific Halloween night that changed their lives forever. But when she learns her father has disappeared and the FBI suspects kidnapping, Dolores must return to her home town, confront her family and the ghosts of her past as a killer tears through their Halloween obsessed town as another shocking Halloween approaches.

This small town thriller by Rachel Louise Adams was a blast! A breeze of a read, it’s got some really good twists, and while set around Halloween, it’s not really spooky, so is a perfect Halloween season read for those that like their season reads to be more thrilling than scary.

That’s not to say this is light- at its core this book is about an utterly horrific act that has shattered countless lives in ways that ripple throughout the story as you, and the characters themselves, start to see the true depths this tragedy has carved in their lives. Even though at times I felt frustrated at times with Dolores as she seemed to waffle w her relationship with her estranged family, Rachel did a great job drawing out more of the past and helping us understand more about why Dolores and many other characters made the choices they did and what their true feelings about each other were.

I could sort of see where this was going as we got past the halfway point, but was kept guessing enough that it didn’t ruin my engagement in the story, and in the end just really enjoyed reading this one. I’ll definitely seek out more from this author! This was a really great read!

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Dolores Hawthorne, a forensic pathologist in Los Angeles, receives a call from Special Agent Wyatt Holt with the FBI telling her that her father has been reported missing and there is evidence of foul play. He asks her to return to her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin, to answer questions regarding the case. It’s been nearly 20 years since she left Little Horton, vowing never to return. She has obligations in LA, including a pending divorce, but she and her father had once been very close. She agrees to make the trip while unsure what information she has to contribute.

Little Horton is a town that goes all out for Halloween, bringing tourists from all over. The town also has a reputation for violent deaths connected to the holiday. Is the former mayor and former US Senator now one of those deaths? Or will he be found alive? Delores doesn’t know what kind of reception she will have when she returns home, but she hopes to arrive in time to save her father.

That cover grabbed my attention, and then when I saw it was set in my home state of Wisconsin, I was all in, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Ms. Adams has created characters with depth who continue to evolve as the story continues. Dolores is well-known in her field, but she ended up in California after a Halloween incident in Wisconsin 18 years ago. She thought she was making a good life for herself, but has been unlucky in any kind of personal relationship. Her job is stressful; heck, her life is stressful. She has an unusual way of calming herself – she counts the bones of her head – sphenoid, frontal, lacrimal. Sadly, it doesn’t work to settle her with all that is happening now. The woman has her flaws and was truly relatable.

Dolores returns home to her stepmother Charlotte and two much younger step-siblings, Archer and Josie. The family dynamic is strained after her long absence and even more so with her father missing. Charlotte was a catalyst for Delores leaving her family behind, bringing tension to every interaction. Her siblings have missed her and want answers that she may not be able to give. Dolores was close to her father, and leaving him was the hardest thing. We are also introduced to FBI agents Wyatt Holt and Paul Turner, and local police officer Kate Butcher. Kate went to school with Delores, and there’s no love lost in that relationship.

The author captures small-town life very well, including a misogynistic police force. Little Horton has a feral cat problem, and Officer Butcher is routinely placed on Operation Cat. I enjoyed the pivotal role she ends up playing in the investigation. Two families basically ruled the town. The Hawthornes and the Lawsons, a politician and a rich business owner. That relationship changed after Delores left, with the two former friends avoiding each other at all costs. Like all small towns, people butt into each other’s business, and gossip is well fed.

Told from several points of view, the dark mystery is well-plotted with twists and turns, and a spooky Halloween theme. There were a variety of theories regarding the disappearance of the former Senator, putting forth a variety of suspects. But then the body count continued to rise, eliminating suspect after suspect. The suspense started to hit a fever pitch with scary and heartwrenching scenes. Then there was the final twist, and it was epic. Totally unexpected. I was gobsmacked.

Now, back to that cover. Looks are deceiving. I get it, black cats go with Halloween, but the cats in this story are not witches’ familiars or another Halloween trope. Little Horton has a feral feline problem, and the fate of those felines wasn’t good.

No Rest for the Wicked is a fast-paced, thrilling read, deftly plotted with well-developed characters. It is hard to believe this is Rachel Louise Adams’ debut in the literary world. She is definitely an author to watch. I am eager to see what she pens next. This one was an enjoyable getaway. 4 Stars.

From the publisher:
With an expert hand, Rachel Louise Adams’s debut No Rest for the Wicked reads like an edge of your seat, heart-pounding scary movie.

In one Halloween obsessed Midwestern town, everyone’s on red alert after a local politician goes missing. Little do they know it’s only the beginning.

It’s been close to twenty years since forensic pathologist Dolores Hawthorne left her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin. The town is famous for its Halloween celebrations, but also its history of violent deaths linked to the holiday. To Dolores, it’s the place she fled, family, bad memories, and all. Until the FBI calls to tell her that her father--the former mayor turned US Senator--is missing under mysterious circumstances.

Some people count to ten to wake up from a nightmare. Dolores always counts the bones of her head instead: sphenoid, frontal, lacrimal. But no matter how many times she counts them, it doesn’t change the fact that her father is missing, that his final words of warning to her were to trust no one, and that now, the rest of her family is giving Dolores a chilling welcome. With Halloween fast approaching, Dolores must face the past she left behind before it’s too late.

No Rest for the Wicked by Rachel Louise Adams was released September 16, 2025 by Minotaur Books. I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion nor my review.

My thoughts: Overall this is a good book. I gave it 4 stars out of 5 possible.

The characters are well drawn. Some you will probably like for the most part, like Dolores. Others you won't like as much, like Charlotte. It was hard for me to figure out who the kidnapper was. It was a surprise twist and a good one.

The book had good pacing. It begins right away with Dolores finding out her father has been kidnapped. This captured my attention. There's more than one mystery in this book. There is a subplot of what happened to Dolores all those years ago. Flashbacks help tell the tale and don't slow it down. There are also at least 2 other subplots. Most of the subplots enrich the story. The one about the stray cats, though, I felt could have been done without for the most part. It did help characterize the female police officer's place among the other officers though.

I felt like the synopsis was a little misleading. It focuses on the town being associated with Halloween and having deaths around that holiday. I thought it was gearing up for something paranormal to be going on. Don't get me wrong. It is still a very well written mystery/thriller. It's just that Halloween is more a coincidence rather than a plot point.

Also some people may prefer there to be trigger warnings for at least sexual assault and the cat subplot. Neither one is really done in great detail. The sexual assault is mostly behind closed doors. And the thing with the cats is likewise very minor part of the plot.

Overall I would recommend this book to people who enjoy thrillers and mysteries. It's basically well-written and interesting. And there are some good twists.

Have you read this book yet? What did you think? Will you add it to your TBR list? Leave a comment and share your thoughts with us.

Happy Reading!

I received an ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this story. Lots of suspense and a surprise ending made it impossible to put down!

Do I have a great Halloween season read for you fellow thriller reader…that is if you are not extra squeamish.

♤ First off check out the cover art

♤ Next how about the title?

♤ Third how about some of these chapter names ?:
● Nightmare
● Once Upon October
● Masks
● Spider
● Black Tide Rising
● Alchemy
● The Girl Without A Face
● Trick or Treat
● Demons
● By The Pricking of My Thumbs
● Tragedies
● Nightmare
● Halloween Town
● Wolves
● Murky Waters
● Death Anatomy
● Once Upon an October
● Operation Cats
● To The Bone
● Curiosity Killed the Cat
● Smoke
● Toxic
● Strays
● Midnight
● Ghosts and Milk
● Halloween Monster

Not convinced yet?

♤How about placing the novel in a town that is known as a place to celebrate Halloween, where out of towners flock every October 31st to celebrate in a town that has had many unexplained murders?

♤ How about a town which is over run by cats?

♤ How about a book so twisted you could not possibly guess who done it?

♤ How about about a novel with a well developed protagonist?

♤ How about a protagonist who happens to be a forensic physician?

♤ Do you think you would enjoy a thriller that stirs in family drama, a dab of politics and power and men and women who abuse that power?

♤ Would you enjoy an author who's very first novel, a murder mystery keeps you engaged with her writing?

♤ Do you appreciate a dark thriller that is a slow burn?

♤♤♤ OK THEN ♤♤♤

Make sure to choose this book for your Halloween read as…

THERE IS NO REST FOR THE WICKED!

Thank you to Rachel Louise Adams and her publisher Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this novel. Thanks also goes to NetGalley for facilitating the advanced readers for this novel.

When her father disappears Dolores returns home after 18 years. While searching for answers about her father, childhood memories surface to disprove long held beliefs. The mystery of what really happened 18 years ago and who is behind her father’s disappearance kept me riveted throughout the story.

No Rest for the Wicked by Rachel Louise Adams

This was such a fast-paced, fun thriller ride! I’ll admit, it took me a little bit to settle into the story but that is probably because I was out here questioning everything and everyone like I’d been hired as the lead detective. Once I stopped trying to solve it before the characters and just let the story unfold, I had a great time.I guessed a few of the bigger reveals early on (feeling a little smug about that), but there were definitely others that genuinely surprised me. The balance of predictable and shocking twists made this a really enjoyable read.

I also listened to this on audiobook and loved it. The narration was well-paced, engaging, and added extra depth and fun to the story. Honestly, I’d highly recommend experiencing it this way.

By the end, I couldn’t help but wonder… is this setting up to be a series? Because I wouldn’t be mad about it. In fact, I’d be first in line to read the next one.

The Vibes:
Am I the detective or just a reader? (paranoid vibes ✅)
Fast-paced thriller energy
Secrets everywhere
Twists you’ll see coming…and ones you won’t
Possible series setup?

Would I recommend it?
Yes! If you’re in the mood for a quick, twisty thriller that’s just as fun as it is suspenseful, this is a great pick, especially on audio.

🎧 Thank you so much to Minotaur Books/St. Martins Press for the Advanced Reader Copy!

The synopsis whetted my appetite and even though the book was a little light on plot it was an enjoyable read that kept me interested until the end.

"Little Horton's famous for its history of violent deaths. Hence the Halloween vibes."

NO REST FOR THE WICKED by Rachel Louise Adams sees Dolores Hawthorne returning to her Wisconsin hometown of Little Horton after 20 years after getting word that her father (a former senator) is missing and foul play is suspected. Her skills with a scalpel sees her getting roped into the police investigation where she also comes face to face with what made her flee this Halloween town all those years ago.

As a born and raised Wisconsin girlie (gimme all that cheeeese), I loved visiting the fictional spooky town of Little Horton and seeing it through the eyes of our main character Dolores. Her arrival into town felt like the opening of a movie and that imagery persisted throughout the story.

This book plays host to a large cast of characters who are all fairly easy to distinguish from one another and the mysteries interwoven across timelines really helped create this sort of bubble where only Little Horton exists, which I loved!

NO REST FOR THE WICKED handles some very dark topics in a respectful manner, but do check the triggers prior to reading this if that is a concern for you.

Truly gobsmacked that this is a debut and I can't wait to see what Rachel Louise Adams does next.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the early copy for review!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this debut thriller by Rachel Louise Adams. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

It's only the beginning when a local politician goes missing in Little Horton, Wisconsin. The town is known for its Halloween celebrations as well as a history of violent deaths associated with the holiday. Dolores fled her family and bad memories twenty years ago for a career as a forensic politician in California. But when the FBI calls to tell her that her father is missing under mysterious circumstances, she returns home. Her father's last words to her were - trust no one.

This is an amazing debut and the book you should read as we head into the Halloween creepy season. There's the perfect mix of creepiness and suspense that kept building throughout the book. Small town memories are funny things too - everyone has a different perspective, especially when family is involved. I was never sure who I could trust and what their motives were. Plus, there's lots of family drama to unpack here. All I knew was that once I started this book, I was completely enthralled. I am also really hoping that this is the start of a series, because I'm so anxious to know what happens to these characters!

Don't let this cover fool you, it's NOT what it seems.

This debut novel is a slow-burn thriller set during the week of Halloween.

Dolores Hawethorne hasn't stepped foot in hometown for nearly twenty years. Her father's passing has her returning to her childhood home, her step-mother and two siblings. She's quietly lived in California serving as a pathologist. What caused her to leave her family and never look back, that's what we are about to find out plus solve some murders.

No Rest for the Wicked is a GREAT read for the spooky season. This cover screams creepy things lurk in these pages as these cats aren't as cuddly as you imagine.

Thank you St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books

This was not what I was expecting but....Im not mad about it. Family drama, secrets from the past, murder and truths, they were interwoven brilliantly.
We get a few different points of view so things are revealed at different paces but love how it all came together.
Really became more ofna thriller towards the end.
Poor Dolores goes though so much and yet people envy her and with her fayher gone she learns even more about what made her stay away from home to begin with. So sad. TW for anyone who reads this it does touch on SA.
There were a few moments I lost interest as the characters went about their day and the "politics" going on in their town but once the mystery and secrets started rolling it got more and more interesting! Enjoyed trying to figure who was behind all the mayhem 😁